LandDesign Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Scholarship

Award: Two $5,000 winners
Deadline: February 1

This scholarship was established to assist students from underrepresented groups who are pursuing a degree in landscape architecture. It is LandDesign’s goal to promote a company culture that celebrates diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and talents:

"We are a place where everyone has influence, all voices are heard, and ideas are shared and encouraged. Each person’s uniqueness influences and inspires how we innovate, create, design, and be better together. We are committed to fostering a workplace that embraces equality, safety, diversity, and justice.  We have precious opportunities in designing spaces for our communities with creating the future of the places where people will live, work, and raise their families for generations to come that are inclusive and accessible to all — because we are not merely defined by what we do, but who we are."

The LandDesign Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Scholarship is open to undergraduate landscape architecture students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC) and are currently enrolled in a LAAB-accredited program in the United States.  Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and cannot currently be in their final year of study. Candidates must demonstrate financial need and a passion for landscape architecture.

In addition to the financial award, each recipient will participate in a LandDesign mentoring program for the following academic year. The virtual program is approximately 1 hour per month.

To Apply

See the General Application Guidelines for information on using our online application system. All submissions must adhere to guidelines and deadlines in order to be considered. Additional materials will not be reviewed.

Application Contents

All LAF scholarships require applicants to submit the following materials:

• General Submission Form*
  Complete this online form with basic contact information and details about your degree program.
• Photo
  Provide a color headshot in jpg format that is at least 1800x1200 pixels. It should be horizontally-oriented, well-lit with a simple background, and include your entire head and shoulders. LAF retains the right to use any submitted photo on our website and in other materials promoting LAF’s scholarship programs.
• Bio for the LAF Website (150 word max)
  Provide a short bio in PDF, Microsoft Word, or TXT format. In 150 words or less, describe your background, current educational pursuits, future plans, and any other personal interests or activities.
• Resume (2 page max)
  Upload your resume or CV in PDF format. It should include your education, professional experience, extra-curricular activities, and honors and awards. Please include Applicant Name/Resume/Scholarship Name and page number on each page.

In addition, this scholarship requires the following:

• Financial Aid Form
  Complete this online form with information about your financial needs and any financial assistance you currently receive.
• 1 Letter of Recommendation
  Provide the e-mail address for the recommender and instructions will be sent to them.
• Essay (2 page max)
  Upload your original essay in PDF format. In 500 words or less, describe what drives your passion for landscape architecture, what unique experiences or ideas you want to incorporate into your future designs, and how you see the connection between landscape architecture and mental wellbeing. The essay should be no more than two pages with margins of at least 1”, 10-point or larger font, and no images or graphics. Please include Applicant Name/Essay/Scholarship Name and page number on each page.

*Applicants should indicate their association with a specific ethnic or cultural group on the last question of the General Submission Form.